OutWest

Lolol...yeah. Plus, the program is outstanding

Hi guys...got a full ride, TA, and small extra stipend...pretty much sealed the deal for me. homelessnegatives: looks like you might be on a different schedule since you are Studio Art, whereas I am Media Arts. Are you going to go there you think? If so, hit me up via in-mail here. It would be cool to make your acquaintance.

Yeah, go with CMU! You would really like it there from what I can gather... Many thanks! Yes, I have been very excited, and no small part lucky, by my offers and have decided to go to UCLA. Sent my paperwork in and am ready to roll! I had a hard time declining UChicago. I really like the people there and that new Logan Arts Center is to die for...that will be a "heavy hitter" program in the next 10 years.

Yes, if you are going to spend the money to go to either of those design programs (and, you WILL be spending some big money), going to CMU is a no-brainer...plus, two things...1) NYC is only a 6 hour car ride or 8 hour train away. 2) Rent in Pitt is a heck of a lot cheaper! CMU is such a tremendous program and it's dialed into the NY design scene, you could conceivably get a job in your dream city afterwards in a snap...go for it

Yes. Do that. You can certainly give it a try without any repercussions since the competing schools want you bad enough. I've had some Grad friends be successful with such things...look at it like a set of job offers. Good luck and I hope you get the best deal!

Well, that sounds good for you, I'm going to bet! It sounds like (though, I'd contact the Dept. to make it real) you are on a kind of Waitlist. The same thing happened to me for Davis (i.e., no Accept or Reject for along period of time and then they finally told me I'm on a waitilist)....oh, for my rejection, they sent me a form letter back on 02/25... Hope you hear from them. I really like(d) that program (plus, it's free tuition which is awesome)...out of curiosity, what is your concentration? I am a new media/new genres kind of guy with a techie bent and, though that program seems to talk a good game about media art, they also seem to admit mostly "traditional" artists...

I have to agree with "miyamoto81" on this as well for the fine art (not so on the graphic design, where you get a ton of attention from the pros), and the film dept is also likewise known for being riDICulously expensive (a friend of mine paid his MFA off after about 10 years...while bringing in a six figure salary as an art director)... That being said, miyamoto81, it looks like you applied and got into CalArts...that school is just as bad as SVA for $...I have a friend in their Director's program and she's going to end up with well over 120K in debt, and she says the fine art people are only better off because they are a 2 year program instead of three...

RortyRorty: Lol, c'mon...Van Gogh was never accepted All of this acceptance/not-acceptance stuff is a crap shoot (like sending stuff out to a juried show)...so, I say KEEP AT IT! You *%&^ing rule and you know it, so keep hammering away. Everyone wants to see you back at it next year! Plus, if you don't, I'm going to hunt you down and kick your butt

I have to strongly agree with ebihal that going to a top flight school is no guarantee of getting gallery rep, career success, or even teaching... Regarding galleries, look at more than a couple top artists in the Blue Chip scene and it will convince you that it is more about how ambitious you are and the connections YOU make on your own: Cindy Sherman (went to a decent school for BFA (Buffalo State), but not an uber power house, and didn't even get an MFA), or Barbara Kruger (didn't even finish ANY degree)...so, dig around! There's plenty of autodidacts and self-starters that didn't need the grad school circus to be successful

Indeed, this is a wonderful thing...and, just in case anyone is interested (esp. those interested in MFA/MBA combo programs), even in the high-dollar world of MBA's there is a similar option...places like Harvard, Stanford, Columbia give major payment breaks for those that want to work in "Social Enterprise" (for a non-profit, museum, government entity such as the Library of Congress, etc.)...there are goodies to be had!

Hmmm, not so sure I agree with that, as I have heard the MS is more appropriate for learning design from the perspective of broadening its reach into many different facets of thinking from general design (ie., working in graphic design houses, like you suggest), all the way up to information technology, data visualization, as well as design for broad socio-political purposes. That is to say, it prepares you for not only work in design houses or companies, but also larger media and governmental organizations... ...and, the MFA is more specialized on the "art" part of design and, yes, it certainly prepares you for teaching. (Caveat: I used to be a graphic designer, and then worked my way up to Art Director for a number of years in LA, so I have some experience with people on both "sides" of the MFA/MS design world...hence my take on the definitions here!)

You are indeed welcome. ..."under-performing"...I know this all too well...I am dealing with major "Senioritis" in my last months of school. Even though I am way too old to have such a problem, ha.

...it's a little surprising that they wouldn't email you as well, or try again if you didn't respond right away...well, here's hoping they understand and hook you up with a chance.

Oh yeah, for sure, as this is only fair...I let mine know. Best of luck!

As far as I can tell (and, i've visited the program's MFA show in years past), it's a solid New Genres program. Also, in the Bay, check out Mills, and Berkeley's (and, Stanford if you have an exhibition record by that time) programs as well. Those three programs are very well funded...CCA is a terrific program, but from what I've heard, the funding is minimal. Enjoy SFAI!

Nice!! Congrats on the good funding too! Very hard to come by at those heavy-hitter private schools. Enjoy!

I thought I heard of a person on here mention they did...sorry if I'm misinformed!

• ATS = Art and Technology Studies (the more media arts MFA...very nice program) • Only heard of new genres, media arts, and painting getting notices so far for UCLA...

Thanks so much! Yes, they didn't say, but if it is "top 25%", and they took the time to apply because they apparently liked it enough to do so, and on top of it all they offered full ride and stipend, I'd be hard pressed to turn that down just because I thought I "might" get into a better-ranked program in the future... Like others, along with myself, have pointed out, there are more than a few great artists that didn't go to Yale (or wherever big name school) and were fantastically successful.

@FattleCattle: Goodness no! Go for it! I mean, seriously??? Lol...if it's a program you really like, and there are terrific people there, why in the world would you NOT jump at the chance at a FREE top art program with extra funding. It's a no brainer. Go.

Thank you guys so much! It is a pleasure to have such an awesome virtual support group during this circus. You guys are awesome. And, of course, here's hoping EVERYONE gets good news the rest of these weeks.

Wow...just got accepted to UCLA's mighty Media Arts MFA...I still can't believe they even wanted to interview me! Much love to you all.

Gosh, from what I can tell looking at people over the years going in and out of grad school, you could earn a BS/BA in biomechanical basket weaving and it wouldn't matter as long as your portfolio stands out and you can talk about your goods!

Though Alfred is a small program, it's top 10...so, I wouldn't stress about the "art world"...plus, anyway, how you make your own connections and push your work is more what will make your art shine in the art world... Mills is a fine program and has excellent connections to the scene in San Fran, which is a very interesting place to be, especially for new media/new genres. You're doing fine

Yup, on the waitlist for Cornell as well. Best of luck this week for everyone!